Flying High on Poland’s Economic Rise
Interview with Oskar Maliszewski, CEO of Jet Story Sp. z o.o.
Since 2003, Warsaw-based private aviation company Jet Story has grown in tandem with the rise of the Polish economy – successfully navigating several crises ranging from the Covid-19 pandemic to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine along the way. CEO Oskar Maliszewski remains firmly optimistic, pointing to substantial growth opportunities visible on the horizon.
Jet Story is a leading business aviation specialist, offering full-scope aircraft management, bespoke business jet charter services and professional technical maintenance – all under one roof. With a focus on quality, safety and operational excellence, the company supports aircraft owners and clients across every stage of aviation operations. “The story of Jet Story is one of steady, organic growth,” says the company’s CEO Oskar Maliszewski.
“We began in 2003 with a single Cessna 525, used by our owner – a senior executive at a Polish holding company – for business travel. By 2006, we had obtained our Air Operator Certificate, followed shortly thereafter by our NCC certification. Over time, we systematically expanded our fleet, adding aircraft such as the Gulfstream G650 and G700, as well as the Pilatus PC-24.”
Today, Jet Story operates a fleet of 25 aircraft and several helicopters. The company maintains two hangars at Warsaw Airport, supported by its own dispatch services and a 24/7 operations control center – allowing it to deliver all core services in-house. “Beyond flight operations, we are also certified to provide maintenance for aircraft from manufacturers including Cessna, Embraer, Gulfstream, Bombardier, Pilatus, and HondaJet,” Oskar Maliszewski adds. “These services are offered to a broad customer base across Europe.”
Off to New Horizons
Meanwhile, Jet Story’s expansion has closely mirrored Poland’s economic trajectory. “We benefited significantly from Poland’s accession to the European Union, as well as from our geographic proximity to Russia and Ukraine during the early 2000s,” Oskar Maliszewski explains. “In recent years, it has become even easier to run a global aviation business from Warsaw. Perceptions of Polish professionalism have improved markedly, and while labor costs remain somewhat lower than in Western Europe, the quality of our work is now recognized as on par – often with greater flexibility and a more personalized approach.”
Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Jet Story was compelled to shift its focus westward. “We are proud of how successfully we managed that transition,” says Oskar Maliszewski. “At the same time, like many Polish companies, we hope to play a meaningful role in supporting Ukraine’s economic recovery once the war ends. We are well positioned geographically, and the strong personal and business ties between our countries have only deepened in recent years.”
At the core of Jet Story’s success, however, remains the people who continue to shape the company’s story. “Our team is deeply committed, highly professional, and genuinely passionate about aviation and customer service,” Oskar Maliszewski emphasizes. “That’s also what brought me back to Jet Story earlier this year after spending several years in the Middle East. While my role as CEO is now focused on steering the company strategically, being a passionate pilot, I still make a point of taking the controls in the cockpit myself whenever I can.”